A fatal shooting occurred Sunday at Smith State Prison in Georgia, leaving a food service worker dead and an inmate dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Jaydrekus Hart, 34, was serving a 20-year sentence for voluntary manslaughter and aggravated battery when he allegedly shot Aureon Shavea Grace, 24, a 24-year-old Aramark employee who had worked at the prison since January. After killing Grace, Hart took his own life.
The Georgia Department of Corrections is investigating how Hart acquired the weapon and is currently in their custody. Special agents are also responding to the facility to provide support and will conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
“Today, we are heartbroken over the loss of our colleague and extend our heartfelt condolences to her family,” Aramark spokeswoman Debbie Albert said. “This is a tragedy for everyone, and we are cooperating with the Georgia Department of Corrections to determine the circumstances surrounding the event.”
Hart had been incarcerated since 2015 and was not set to be released until 2043. Notably, Smith State Prison suffered another employee fatality last year when correctional officer Robert Clark, 42, was attacked and killed by an inmate wielding a homemade weapon. The inmate, Layton Lester, is already facing murder charges and has also been charged with additional offenses related to the attack.
